Board of Directors

Julia McDonald is a Senior Manager in the Risk & Financial Advisory practice at Deloitte. She helps her clients address their top IT risks and specializes in the Consumer industry. At Deloitte, Julia also is a member of the New England Women and Allies Group, which strives to empower  allyship and change for women in the workforce. Aside from her experience at Deloitte, Julia loves to spend her free time baking for friends and family’s events and parties. Julia holds a B.S. in Accounting from Elon University. She grew up in Amesbury and now resides in Newburyport with her partner and dog Tinsley!

I am retired from a 30 year career in banking, primarily in the area of compliance and risk  but also in community reinvestment.  I serve on the Salisbury Affordable Housing Trust,Planning Board

and on the AuditCommittee of the New Hampshire  Fund. Affordable Housing, Gender Equality, and Racial Justice are important issues and its critical that we effectively find solutions.   I believe that the YWCA is positioned to make impactful progress in these areas. I have two grown daughters and reside in Salisbury with my wife, Anne.

Deputy Director of Youth Services, YWCA Northeastern Massachusetts

For the past 22 years, I have had the privilege of serving the YWCA in a variety of roles, and I am grateful to now serve as Deputy Director of Youth Services. I am passionate about supporting children, families, and staff, and I believe that building strong relationships and fostering inclusive, high-quality programs are the foundation of meaningful community impact.

SVP, Manager of Commercial Credit Review and Analysis at River Run MHC

Accomplished commercial banking executive with more than 20 years of experience in commercial credit, risk management, underwriting, portfolio management, and relationship management across regional and community banks. Proven leader with deep expertise in commercial real estate (CRE) and commercial and industrial (C&I) lending, credit policy development, loan structuring, and enterprise risk management. Recognized for building and leading high-performing credit teams, fostering a strong credit culture, and partnering with lending executives to deliver sound, strategic credit decisions while ensuring regulatory compliance. Brings a thoughtful, relationship-driven approach to evaluating complex credit opportunities beyond the financial statements, balancing prudent risk management with business growth and client success. Holds both an MBA and a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration with a concentration in Accounting and Finance and is passionate about mentoring emerging banking professionals and developing high-performing teams.

Chief Alumni Success Officer, Esperanza Academy

Viviana Cordero Garcia is a mother, daughter, sister, and educational leader dedicated to expanding opportunity for young women. As Chief Alumni Success Officer at Esperanza Academy, she leads initiatives that support students and alum as they navigate high school, college, and early careers. She is passionate about educational equity, economic mobility, and creating spaces where women and girls can thrive.

Deirdre Budzyna is the Coordinator of Early Childhood Education at Northern Essex Community College. She is also the owner of Acting Out productions in Newburyport where she teaches theater to children ages 4 to 16. She speaks at national conferences on the Theory of Multiple Intelligences and Creative Arts in Learning. Deirdre lives in Newburyport with her husband John, her mom Sue, and her teacup Yorkie Princess.  She and John have three grown children: Colin, Erin, and Maggie.

Since 2006, Caswell Restaurant Group has developed and operated durable restaurant concepts that have earned impressive accolades for evocative menus that tell stories through food, inventive international wine lists featuring undiscovered gems from small batch wineries, and exceptional guest service experiences. The company’s reputation as respected culinary leader is the work of powerhouse proprietor and wine aficionado Nancy Batista-Caswell, whose success record is testament to her savvy in designing modern restaurant offerings that match contemporary diner values and preferences.

Molly is a student at Newburyport High School, graduating in 2025. She hopes to join her love of stem with her curiosity about how people learn and interact by studying neuroscience in college. Molly has done cheerleading since she was 7 years old and more recently was named captain of the Newburyport High School’s new cheer team. She is able to use her passion for the sport to support her community by working as a volunteer coach for a special needs cheer team in Amesbury called “Inspiration Cheerleading”. She also works locally at the Port Tavern in downtown Newburyport. Molly loves learning about the world in different ways which is why she values her experiences in her different roles in the community as well as the opportunities she has to travel and learn about different cultures.

Hannah MacVane is an Account Manager at Matter Communications, specializing in Public Relations and having worked with a variety of companies ranging from non-profit organizations to Fortune 5 corporations. In addition to her involvement with the YWCA of Newburyport, she also serves on the Marketing Committee for the Jeanne Geiger Crisis Center, which strives to empower individuals and engage communities to end domestic violence. Hannah holds a B.A. in Communications from the College of Charleston, as well as Minors in Spanish and Dance, and resides with her husband in Amesbury, MA.

Tsveta is the founder of Talent Masters, an HR and recruitment consultancy firm, and brings to us her expertise from various senior roles in education, social impact and global recruitment. Her background includes serving as the Vice President of Business Development, Partnerships, and Human Resources for Educatius North America and leading Global Sales and Marketing Enablement efforts at Shorelight Education. Tsveta  holds a graduate degree in International Business, is SHRM-SCP certified. Outside of her professional life, Tsveta is passionately involved in supporting causes related to education, health, human talent development, social justice, and equity. In addition to her work with the YWCA, she is a mentor for tech startups and is an active member of several professional organizations including SHRM, NEHRA, and the Boston Club.

Jamie Sokolowski is currently the principal of the Francis T. Bresnahan Elementary School in Newburyport, MA. She has worked in public education for 13 years and prior to that graduated from the University of New Hampshire with a BM in Music Education and earned her MA in Music Therapy and Mental Health Counseling from Lesley University.

Jamie is certified in Trauma in Learning Certified through Lesley University, and is a RYT-200 Kripalu yoga instructor and also a Board Certified Music Therapist. Jamie is excited to be a director at the YWCA to support its mission of empowering women, eliminating racism and empowering peace in a community that she loves.

Jamie Sokolowski is currently the principal of the Francis T. Bresnahan Elementary School in Newburyport, MA. She has worked in public education for 13 years and prior to that graduated from the University of New Hampshire with a BM in Music Education and earned her MA in Music Therapy and Mental Health Counseling from Lesley University.

Jamie is certified in Trauma in Learning Certified through Lesley University, and is a RYT-200 Kripalu yoga instructor and also a Board Certified Music Therapist. Jamie is excited to be a director at the YWCA to support its mission of empowering women, eliminating racism and empowering peace in a community that she loves.

Jamie Sokolowski is currently the principal of the Francis T. Bresnahan Elementary School in Newburyport, MA. She has worked in public education for 13 years and prior to that graduated from the University of New Hampshire with a BM in Music Education and earned her MA in Music Therapy and Mental Health Counseling from Lesley University.

Jamie is certified in Trauma in Learning Certified through Lesley University, and is a RYT-200 Kripalu yoga instructor and also a Board Certified Music Therapist. Jamie is excited to be a director at the YWCA to support its mission of empowering women, eliminating racism and empowering peace in a community that she loves.

Jamie Sokolowski is currently the principal of the Francis T. Bresnahan Elementary School in Newburyport, MA. She has worked in public education for 13 years and prior to that graduated from the University of New Hampshire with a BM in Music Education and earned her MA in Music Therapy and Mental Health Counseling from Lesley University.

Jamie is certified in Trauma in Learning Certified through Lesley University, and is a RYT-200 Kripalu yoga instructor and also a Board Certified Music Therapist. Jamie is excited to be a director at the YWCA to support its mission of empowering women, eliminating racism and empowering peace in a community that she loves.

Jamie Sokolowski is currently the principal of the Francis T. Bresnahan Elementary School in Newburyport, MA. She has worked in public education for 13 years and prior to that graduated from the University of New Hampshire with a BM in Music Education and earned her MA in Music Therapy and Mental Health Counseling from Lesley University.

Jamie is certified in Trauma in Learning Certified through Lesley University, and is a RYT-200 Kripalu yoga instructor and also a Board Certified Music Therapist. Jamie is excited to be a director at the YWCA to support its mission of empowering women, eliminating racism and empowering peace in a community that she loves.

Jamie Sokolowski is currently the principal of the Francis T. Bresnahan Elementary School in Newburyport, MA. She has worked in public education for 13 years and prior to that graduated from the University of New Hampshire with a BM in Music Education and earned her MA in Music Therapy and Mental Health Counseling from Lesley University.

Jamie is certified in Trauma in Learning Certified through Lesley University, and is a RYT-200 Kripalu yoga instructor and also a Board Certified Music Therapist. Jamie is excited to be a director at the YWCA to support its mission of empowering women, eliminating racism and empowering peace in a community that she loves.

Jamie Sokolowski is currently the principal of the Francis T. Bresnahan Elementary School in Newburyport, MA. She has worked in public education for 13 years and prior to that graduated from the University of New Hampshire with a BM in Music Education and earned her MA in Music Therapy and Mental Health Counseling from Lesley University.

Jamie is certified in Trauma in Learning Certified through Lesley University, and is a RYT-200 Kripalu yoga instructor and also a Board Certified Music Therapist. Jamie is excited to be a director at the YWCA to support its mission of empowering women, eliminating racism and empowering peace in a community that she loves.